Spartans in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

EAST LANSING - The chase for the Stanley Cup gets underway on Wednesday evening with the first games of the 2017 National Hockey League playoffs. Nine Spartans appeared in the NHL this season and four will have a shot at having their names etched on the Cup.

Torey Krug and John-Michael Liles and the Boston Bruins will meet the Ottawa Senators in the opening round, while Jeff Petry and the Montreal Canadiens take on the New York Rangers. In the Western Conference, Duncan Kieth and the Chicago Blackhawks meet the Nashville Predators in the opening round.

MSU has had a Stanley Cup winner in seven of the last 11 seasons. Keith became the first Spartan to win three Stanley Cups as he won the Conn…